Avalanche Send Calum Ritchie Back To The OHL

The Avalanche assigned Calum Ritchie back to the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, the team announced on Wednesday.

Ritchie, 19, dressed in each of the first seven games and recorded his first career goal in the process. Ritchie was eligible to play two more games before burning the first year of his entry-level contract.

At the start of the season, Colorado’s 2023 first-round pick was given an opportunity in the top six, playing on the wing with fellow rookie Nikolai Kovalenko on a line centered by Casey Mittelstadt. He was later downgraded to the third line. In his final game, Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over Seattle, Ritchie played a season low 7:14.

Last season, the OHL star had his best season yet. He finished with 28 goals and 80 points in just 50 games. He also dressed for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship and will likely play on the top line for them in 2025.

Colorado called up Chris Wagner following Ritchie’s assignment.